Ogra in a fix over granting LNG licence

ISLAMABAD - Despite a marathon session of deliberations on Tuesday, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) has failed to come up with a decision on Elengy Terminal Pakistan Limited (ETPL) application seeking licence for LNG terminal construction.The Authority including Chairman and two members convened without any of the official aides. Sources were of the view that they examined all aspects of the issue ranging from opponents’ seeking return of the application to the government, reportedly, pressing upon Ogra for an earliest grant of licence. During the meeting findings of recent Ogra officials visit to Port Qasim Karachi were discussed in detail. Objections from opponents (interveners) were also pondered upon.ETPL has yet to obtain certain prerequisites. According to sources the bidder ETPL, has not obtained two major perquisites to applying for terminal construction license namely the approval from Port Qasim and Ministry of Defence, a prerequisite for applying a licence. Port Qasim authorities are objecting on the proposed site and want ETPL to shift to LNG zone. It was also learnt that Ogra is under tremendous pressure to grant licence to ETPL. According to Ministry of Petroleum sources, whole ministry is rigorously working to make LNG Import happen as soon as possible. It was also learnt that it was the political pressure that during meeting Ogra officials considered granting “conditional licence” to ETPL. This way government will be happy and they will also save their skin from any possible litigation. “No final decision was taken but it is likely that Ogra will grant conditional licence to ETPL”, official told The Nation. ETPL will be directed to complete all necessary reports and documents, on fast track basis, he added.“Returning application of ETPL was also discussed, but if application is returned and whole process is started afresh it will consume lot of time” an official said. Final decision is likely to be announced in coming days.